DOUGHERTY, Iowa – As part of his Iowa Works Tour, US Representative Bruce Braley is in north Iowa to visit different job sites, and highlight hard-working Iowans.

Braley’s visit is just one stop on his day-long trip to experience the work being done behind the scenes to keep Iowa’s economy afloat.

“I grew up in a small town, Brooklyn, Iowa. I spent a lot of my time working on farms just like this one,” said Braley.

Braley has always had a connection to those making a living off the land and while Dougherty, Iowa may be a long way from Washington D.C. , Braley says he knows how important rural jobs can be to the state’s economy.

“I’m visiting Iowans where they work, talking to them about the things that they do, talking about the importance of policies that are going to strengthen the middle class and create economic opportunity in places like Cerro Gordo County,” said Braley.

As part of his tour of the state, Braley paid a visit to Phil Dougherty of Dougherty farms and the two are discussing the major concerns of rural farmers today, especially when it comes to improving infrastructure.

“There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with that because I wanted to convey our thoughts and our concerns which we have to the United States Congressman even at the local level,” said Dougherty.

A strong supporter of the now passed five-year farm bill, Braley says it’s these conversations that help him get a better understanding of what Iowan’s look for, from their governing body.

“It’s important to spend the time listening to people who make their living from the land and talking about what we need to be doing in Congress to make sure that people continue to have the opportunity to live the American Dream here in rural Iowa,” said Braley.

Braley also mentions how excited he is to see conservative methods of farming present at the Dougherty Family Farm.

Braley began the Iowa Works Tour today with stops in Council Bluffs and Sioux City.

He’ll continue with stops this week at workplaces in Waterloo, Dubuque and Davenport.